Cyrus
Iron Chef - Master Emeritus
~~~Pooka~~~
“Memory Berry… ugh. Out of all the ingredients, I truly believe this was the worst one. =P But hey, that’s what this is all about, right? Here goes…
// Pokémon
4 Jirachi DX
3 Aggron ex CG
2 Lairon CG
3 Aron CG
2 Crawdaunt ex
2 Corphish HP2
2 Magcargo DX1
2 Slugma DX2
1 Aipom UF
1 Holon's Magnemite
1 Holon's Magneton
// Trainers
4 Holon Transceiver
4 Prof. Elm's Training Method
3 Windstorm
3 Memory Berry
3 Holon Adventurer
2 Rare Candy
2 Holon Mentor
2 Warp Point
1 Holon Lass
1 Holon Scientist
// Energy
4 Boost Energy
3 Water Energy
3 Metal Energy
2 Rainbow Energy
After analyzing all the options available with Memory Berry, I decided to revisit a concept used by good ol’ Gymbo back in Neo-On. Just as Jim used Memory Berry in his EXP Feraligatr deck to copy Rage when he got low on HP, this deck focuses on the same thing with Flail. Now that LBS is out of the format, OHKOs are harder to come by, making Flail deadly against some decks.
The strategy for the deck is actually quite simple. Early game, you go for a quick Aggron ex and start Split Bombing with Boosts. Once you start putting damage on your opponent’s threats, they’ll have to start attacking you. By that time, those threats will be softened up a bit. After they come up to attack Aggron, they’ll most likely be in range for a Flail KO! For just one Energy, you can score a quick KO via Memory Berry. Not bad! With the use of Metal and Rainbow Energy, you can manipulate the amount of damage you receive and then dish out with Flail. An added little bonus that is sometimes overlooked is Aggron’s Poké-Body. Not only is it useful for absolutely dominating the deck Lunatone/Solrock, but it also prevents any Lunasols from shutting off Magcargo. The deck gives you choices!
However, Aggron can’t do the job on its own. When facing Fire Pokémon, it needs a little backup! To solve the problem, I added Crawdaunt ex. Although it may only seem like it’s used to counter Fire, Crawdaunt actually fits perfectly in the deck! Since Aggron is a pretty weak attacker, Crawdaunt can help out by giving that extra punch via Boost. After a Split Bomb or two, most Pokémon will be KOd by a Power Blow for 80. Still, if you look a bit closer, it also fits in with the Memory Berry theme! Corphish has Flail, which serves as another way to abuse Memory Berry. In fact, every evolution in the deck can utilize Memory Berry somehow; even Magcargo can use Collect after a Smooth Over!
Crawdaunt ex also serves for many other uses. Its Poké-Power, Splash Back, provides a lot more options. If your opponent has a Pokémon that you just cannot take down, but they have four on the bench, you can Warp Point and Splash Back the Pokémon! In addition, if your opponent has multiple threats, you can Splash Back one and KO the other. The options with the deck are crazy!
Now I’ll just cover a few minor topics. Since the draw in the format is absolutely awful, it just feels like Jirachi and the Holon Engine are necessary. Magcargo is essential for finding cards at the right times, and Aipom is for added consistency (plus, it makes those late game Mentors worth something). The number of Memory Berry seems about right, since four is just excessive (and you need at least 3 of your ingredient, right?). Holon Lass was a last minute addition that proved to be worth playing. Not only does it thin the deck, but also it can give you your Boosts, Metals, and Rainbows, which you can use in certain situations. Although I would have preferred playing a heavier Crawdaunt line, I just couldn’t play the deck without a way to counter Cursed Stone or Cessation Crystal, so Windstorm was added. There, I think I covered everything.
Overall, the deck was quite fun in testing (yes, I tested it!). Not only was the deck fun, but it was competitive as well! It shocked me knowing that my little Iron Chef deck could compete with some of the archetypes out there. Who knows, maybe Aggron ex/Crawdaunt ex will be the next big thing! =P”
-Deck (8/10): Good job on the consistent list. The power/body protection method (windstorm) strikes me as a little low in quantity, but the consistency is all there. You have two very strong attacks that can not only work with little energy, but a lot as well. Plus, they both love to flail. I feel that the one who truly benefits off of the Memory Berry is Aggron, but the list unfortunately does not compliment it as much as it should. The Magnemite/Magneton are a nice touch, and in bizarre circumstances can add bench damage to Aggron Ex’s split bombing.
-Creativity (3/5): Actually I’m quite happy with this idea, and while Memory Berry fails to do that much for Crawdaunt ex, it goes the distance for Aggron ex. Really, these two Pokemon have a lot of synergy, but the synergy doesn’t relate to Memory Berry much.
-Card Use (4/5): Well let’s see here…both attackers can abuse the Berry, and even Magcargo works well with it
. Due to all of the lines (even the clever Magnemite/Magneton line), I feel like you have an almost unlimited amount of play possibility with the Berry. My issue with the list is that it doesn’t push the Berry enough.
OVERALL: 15/20
~~~Mr. Meches~~~
“Metal Heads V1.0
Pokemon 22
3x Aron (Basic/ Main Attack) (44/100 Crystal Guardian)
2x Lairon (Evolve/ Colorless Attack/ HP) (45/110 Holon Phantom)
3x Aggron Ex (Enable/ Primary Attack) (89/100 Crystal Guardian)
3x Squirtle (Basic/ Higher HP) (63/100 Crystal Guardian)
2x Wartortle (Evolve/ Colorless Attack) (43/100 Crystal Guardian)
3x Blastoise d (Weakness Guard/ 2nd Attacker) (2/100 Crystal Guardian)
3x Tauros (Search/ Prevent) (12/100 Crystal Guardian)
3x Holon Castform (Energy Usage) (44/110 Holon Phantom)
Trainers 13
4x Transceiver (Search) (98/113 Delta Species)
3x Rare Candy (Evolve) (90/110 Holon Phantom)
3x Memory Berry (Tool Card/ Deck Base) (80/100 Crystal Guardian)
2x Super Scoop Up (Prevention) (100/113 Delta Species)
1x Switch (Prevention) (102/113 Delta Species)
Supporters 12
4x Holon Adventurer (Draw) (85/110 Holon Phantom)
2x Holon Mentor (Search) (93/113 Delta Species)
2x Castaway (Search) (72/100 Crystal Guardian)
3x Prof. Elm’s Training Method (Search)
1x Holon Farmer (Recycle) (91/113 Delta Species)
Energy 13
5x Fighting (Basic) (110/110 Holon Phantom)
4x Metal (Damage Prvention) (95/110 Holon Phantom)
4x Rainbow (Damage Stacker) (81/92 Legend Maker)
General Strategy:
Ideally Starting with an Aron, Rare Candy, and Aggron Ex to have a First Turn Aggron Ex. THe Intention is to Shutdown BASIC Pokemon early Game while allowing Damage to stack on the initial Aggron Ex to abuse Memory Berry and Aron's Flail attack.
Early- Mid Game:
Ideal Start would be an Aron, however, Tauros can allow early bench setup so that Mentor can be saved as discard, and search for Holon Castform to save Special Energy by returning it to the hand.
If Tauros was the starting Pokemon, retreat for Aron if you have the means to search adn evolve to Aggron Ex. Allow damage to stack on Aggron while Building a Benched Aggron Ex and Blastoise d.
Blastoise d is needed do to the heavy fire Pokemon play and is a very good secondary attacker that can "snipe" the bench if needed. Using Aggron Ex to spread damage with Split Bomb Early to Mid-game can setup those pesky Bench sitting Pokemon your opponent may rely on. Blastoise d can then come in and take a hit to stack some damage and then Enrage Linear Attack the damaged targets.
Energy:
By using Rainbow Energy, you can allow some self damaging and abuse the versatility of the card. You can attach a Rainbow, then a Holon Castform, then the Rainbow again to get 20 self damaging points to assist with both attackers.
Metal Energy assists in some control of damage from attacks for both pokemon as well.
Trainers:
But maximizing Transceiver and using 2 Castaway, I can search for Draw with 6 different cards. Castaway also adds the benfit of retrieving the Primary Card, Memory Berry, and helps in "thinning" the deck to draw necessary items.
Holon Mentor is reduced to 2 because of Tauros. Tauros is there for not only setup, but Mentor allows to have some Stadium Control with Tauros being a Basic Pokemon.
Super Scoop Up, is there to get a Damaged Pokemon out of the way with all of the self-damaging and "playing to the edge" on the HP of most of the Pokemon.
Memory Berry, when attached to an Ex with a pre-evolution that has Flail, is a Great Stall tactic, and effective attacker do to the increased HP. By Flail having a attack cost, It will not be difficult to attach an energy for the full effect of maximum damage.
Pokemon:
Aggron Ex controls some other "Top Tier" decks that tend to abuse Mew Ex from Legend Maker and Lugia Ex from Unseen Forces. HGe is also a heavy hitting Pokemon with the Potential of Spreading Damage around on Bench sitters!
Blastoise d gives Aggron Ex no weakness which is critical in the current play format. He also allows the chance of getting toi a retreated damaged Pokemon with Enraged Linear Attack. This attack is underestimated at times with some not realizing the versatility of a non-discarding "Sniper" in the mix.
Hope you Enjoy it Sir and thanks for your conitnued support of oour Forums!
Fish”
-Deck (6/10): The list is all right, but I have issues with it on finer details. While you do have three Tauros CG, having three Holon’s Castform makes the starter ill-defined, but it’s not much of an issue because you play the Holon line. Speaking of which, the Holon Engine, despite being the result of a time when the format had no DF, looks like it needs a Scientist somewhere. Lack of any Windstorm whatsoever scares me, despite your three Tauros (potentially four or five with good SSU heads). No four PETM makes your turn one Aggron ex harder, and the last thing you want is a difficult Aggron to pull out. Despite that, I’m glad you chose to only go 3-2-3 with Aggron ex, and up stoise d to 3-2-3 from the average 2-1-2. I get the impression it’s more balanced out. Energy is just energy here, especially since your key attack costs one Colorless.
-Creativity (3/5): I’m content with this. Aggron ex’s Flail and Memory Berry make a good team, and it’s great to see you take advantage of that. This is also a “rawr Hulk go SMASH” type strategy, but what works…works!
-Card Use (4/5): You found a nice way to take Memory Berry. This was how people used to play this card, but Aggron ex in particular benefits from having a cheap attack. Blastoise d compliments the sniping ability, and rainbow energy ties both together. I wish you had four Memory Berry, but with only so little room, I guess Castaway does a good job tying it all together.
OVERALL: 13/20
Good job, you two! The plot thickens as Pooka is the first high seed to not get upset (although it was close!).
“Memory Berry… ugh. Out of all the ingredients, I truly believe this was the worst one. =P But hey, that’s what this is all about, right? Here goes…
// Pokémon
4 Jirachi DX
3 Aggron ex CG
2 Lairon CG
3 Aron CG
2 Crawdaunt ex
2 Corphish HP2
2 Magcargo DX1
2 Slugma DX2
1 Aipom UF
1 Holon's Magnemite
1 Holon's Magneton
// Trainers
4 Holon Transceiver
4 Prof. Elm's Training Method
3 Windstorm
3 Memory Berry
3 Holon Adventurer
2 Rare Candy
2 Holon Mentor
2 Warp Point
1 Holon Lass
1 Holon Scientist
// Energy
4 Boost Energy
3 Water Energy
3 Metal Energy
2 Rainbow Energy
After analyzing all the options available with Memory Berry, I decided to revisit a concept used by good ol’ Gymbo back in Neo-On. Just as Jim used Memory Berry in his EXP Feraligatr deck to copy Rage when he got low on HP, this deck focuses on the same thing with Flail. Now that LBS is out of the format, OHKOs are harder to come by, making Flail deadly against some decks.
The strategy for the deck is actually quite simple. Early game, you go for a quick Aggron ex and start Split Bombing with Boosts. Once you start putting damage on your opponent’s threats, they’ll have to start attacking you. By that time, those threats will be softened up a bit. After they come up to attack Aggron, they’ll most likely be in range for a Flail KO! For just one Energy, you can score a quick KO via Memory Berry. Not bad! With the use of Metal and Rainbow Energy, you can manipulate the amount of damage you receive and then dish out with Flail. An added little bonus that is sometimes overlooked is Aggron’s Poké-Body. Not only is it useful for absolutely dominating the deck Lunatone/Solrock, but it also prevents any Lunasols from shutting off Magcargo. The deck gives you choices!
However, Aggron can’t do the job on its own. When facing Fire Pokémon, it needs a little backup! To solve the problem, I added Crawdaunt ex. Although it may only seem like it’s used to counter Fire, Crawdaunt actually fits perfectly in the deck! Since Aggron is a pretty weak attacker, Crawdaunt can help out by giving that extra punch via Boost. After a Split Bomb or two, most Pokémon will be KOd by a Power Blow for 80. Still, if you look a bit closer, it also fits in with the Memory Berry theme! Corphish has Flail, which serves as another way to abuse Memory Berry. In fact, every evolution in the deck can utilize Memory Berry somehow; even Magcargo can use Collect after a Smooth Over!
Crawdaunt ex also serves for many other uses. Its Poké-Power, Splash Back, provides a lot more options. If your opponent has a Pokémon that you just cannot take down, but they have four on the bench, you can Warp Point and Splash Back the Pokémon! In addition, if your opponent has multiple threats, you can Splash Back one and KO the other. The options with the deck are crazy!
Now I’ll just cover a few minor topics. Since the draw in the format is absolutely awful, it just feels like Jirachi and the Holon Engine are necessary. Magcargo is essential for finding cards at the right times, and Aipom is for added consistency (plus, it makes those late game Mentors worth something). The number of Memory Berry seems about right, since four is just excessive (and you need at least 3 of your ingredient, right?). Holon Lass was a last minute addition that proved to be worth playing. Not only does it thin the deck, but also it can give you your Boosts, Metals, and Rainbows, which you can use in certain situations. Although I would have preferred playing a heavier Crawdaunt line, I just couldn’t play the deck without a way to counter Cursed Stone or Cessation Crystal, so Windstorm was added. There, I think I covered everything.
Overall, the deck was quite fun in testing (yes, I tested it!). Not only was the deck fun, but it was competitive as well! It shocked me knowing that my little Iron Chef deck could compete with some of the archetypes out there. Who knows, maybe Aggron ex/Crawdaunt ex will be the next big thing! =P”
-Deck (8/10): Good job on the consistent list. The power/body protection method (windstorm) strikes me as a little low in quantity, but the consistency is all there. You have two very strong attacks that can not only work with little energy, but a lot as well. Plus, they both love to flail. I feel that the one who truly benefits off of the Memory Berry is Aggron, but the list unfortunately does not compliment it as much as it should. The Magnemite/Magneton are a nice touch, and in bizarre circumstances can add bench damage to Aggron Ex’s split bombing.
-Creativity (3/5): Actually I’m quite happy with this idea, and while Memory Berry fails to do that much for Crawdaunt ex, it goes the distance for Aggron ex. Really, these two Pokemon have a lot of synergy, but the synergy doesn’t relate to Memory Berry much.
-Card Use (4/5): Well let’s see here…both attackers can abuse the Berry, and even Magcargo works well with it
. Due to all of the lines (even the clever Magnemite/Magneton line), I feel like you have an almost unlimited amount of play possibility with the Berry. My issue with the list is that it doesn’t push the Berry enough. OVERALL: 15/20
~~~Mr. Meches~~~
“Metal Heads V1.0
Pokemon 22
3x Aron (Basic/ Main Attack) (44/100 Crystal Guardian)
2x Lairon (Evolve/ Colorless Attack/ HP) (45/110 Holon Phantom)
3x Aggron Ex (Enable/ Primary Attack) (89/100 Crystal Guardian)
3x Squirtle (Basic/ Higher HP) (63/100 Crystal Guardian)
2x Wartortle (Evolve/ Colorless Attack) (43/100 Crystal Guardian)
3x Blastoise d (Weakness Guard/ 2nd Attacker) (2/100 Crystal Guardian)
3x Tauros (Search/ Prevent) (12/100 Crystal Guardian)
3x Holon Castform (Energy Usage) (44/110 Holon Phantom)
Trainers 13
4x Transceiver (Search) (98/113 Delta Species)
3x Rare Candy (Evolve) (90/110 Holon Phantom)
3x Memory Berry (Tool Card/ Deck Base) (80/100 Crystal Guardian)
2x Super Scoop Up (Prevention) (100/113 Delta Species)
1x Switch (Prevention) (102/113 Delta Species)
Supporters 12
4x Holon Adventurer (Draw) (85/110 Holon Phantom)
2x Holon Mentor (Search) (93/113 Delta Species)
2x Castaway (Search) (72/100 Crystal Guardian)
3x Prof. Elm’s Training Method (Search)
1x Holon Farmer (Recycle) (91/113 Delta Species)
Energy 13
5x Fighting (Basic) (110/110 Holon Phantom)
4x Metal (Damage Prvention) (95/110 Holon Phantom)
4x Rainbow (Damage Stacker) (81/92 Legend Maker)
General Strategy:
Ideally Starting with an Aron, Rare Candy, and Aggron Ex to have a First Turn Aggron Ex. THe Intention is to Shutdown BASIC Pokemon early Game while allowing Damage to stack on the initial Aggron Ex to abuse Memory Berry and Aron's Flail attack.
Early- Mid Game:
Ideal Start would be an Aron, however, Tauros can allow early bench setup so that Mentor can be saved as discard, and search for Holon Castform to save Special Energy by returning it to the hand.
If Tauros was the starting Pokemon, retreat for Aron if you have the means to search adn evolve to Aggron Ex. Allow damage to stack on Aggron while Building a Benched Aggron Ex and Blastoise d.
Blastoise d is needed do to the heavy fire Pokemon play and is a very good secondary attacker that can "snipe" the bench if needed. Using Aggron Ex to spread damage with Split Bomb Early to Mid-game can setup those pesky Bench sitting Pokemon your opponent may rely on. Blastoise d can then come in and take a hit to stack some damage and then Enrage Linear Attack the damaged targets.
Energy:
By using Rainbow Energy, you can allow some self damaging and abuse the versatility of the card. You can attach a Rainbow, then a Holon Castform, then the Rainbow again to get 20 self damaging points to assist with both attackers.
Metal Energy assists in some control of damage from attacks for both pokemon as well.
Trainers:
But maximizing Transceiver and using 2 Castaway, I can search for Draw with 6 different cards. Castaway also adds the benfit of retrieving the Primary Card, Memory Berry, and helps in "thinning" the deck to draw necessary items.
Holon Mentor is reduced to 2 because of Tauros. Tauros is there for not only setup, but Mentor allows to have some Stadium Control with Tauros being a Basic Pokemon.
Super Scoop Up, is there to get a Damaged Pokemon out of the way with all of the self-damaging and "playing to the edge" on the HP of most of the Pokemon.
Memory Berry, when attached to an Ex with a pre-evolution that has Flail, is a Great Stall tactic, and effective attacker do to the increased HP. By Flail having a attack cost, It will not be difficult to attach an energy for the full effect of maximum damage.
Pokemon:
Aggron Ex controls some other "Top Tier" decks that tend to abuse Mew Ex from Legend Maker and Lugia Ex from Unseen Forces. HGe is also a heavy hitting Pokemon with the Potential of Spreading Damage around on Bench sitters!
Blastoise d gives Aggron Ex no weakness which is critical in the current play format. He also allows the chance of getting toi a retreated damaged Pokemon with Enraged Linear Attack. This attack is underestimated at times with some not realizing the versatility of a non-discarding "Sniper" in the mix.
Hope you Enjoy it Sir and thanks for your conitnued support of oour Forums!
Fish”
-Deck (6/10): The list is all right, but I have issues with it on finer details. While you do have three Tauros CG, having three Holon’s Castform makes the starter ill-defined, but it’s not much of an issue because you play the Holon line. Speaking of which, the Holon Engine, despite being the result of a time when the format had no DF, looks like it needs a Scientist somewhere. Lack of any Windstorm whatsoever scares me, despite your three Tauros (potentially four or five with good SSU heads). No four PETM makes your turn one Aggron ex harder, and the last thing you want is a difficult Aggron to pull out. Despite that, I’m glad you chose to only go 3-2-3 with Aggron ex, and up stoise d to 3-2-3 from the average 2-1-2. I get the impression it’s more balanced out. Energy is just energy here, especially since your key attack costs one Colorless.
-Creativity (3/5): I’m content with this. Aggron ex’s Flail and Memory Berry make a good team, and it’s great to see you take advantage of that. This is also a “rawr Hulk go SMASH” type strategy, but what works…works!
-Card Use (4/5): You found a nice way to take Memory Berry. This was how people used to play this card, but Aggron ex in particular benefits from having a cheap attack. Blastoise d compliments the sniping ability, and rainbow energy ties both together. I wish you had four Memory Berry, but with only so little room, I guess Castaway does a good job tying it all together.
OVERALL: 13/20
Good job, you two! The plot thickens as Pooka is the first high seed to not get upset (although it was close!).
